Are you struggling in real estate while watching other agents dominate in the exact same market? The problem isn't interest rates, inventory, or leads. The problem is staring back at you in the mirror.

Matt Smith and Dustin Runyon, who collectively move 1,400-1,600 homes annually, just exposed the 10 brutal reasons why most agents are struggling right now. But here's the kicker: every single reason comes down to personal responsibility.

This isn't your typical motivational episode. This is a raw, unfiltered breakdown of what separates struggling agents from those who dominate in any market condition.

Key Topics Covered:

The "mirror test" that changes everything in your business and life

Why it now takes 34 contact attempts to convert a lead (not 8-12)

How phone phobia is literally stealing from your family

The difference between goals and standards (and why most agents fail here)

Why victim mentality destroys real estate careers

The time management fallacy that's keeping you busy but broke

How to build skills that make you recession-proof

Why the most successful agents invest MORE in coaching, not less

The compound effect of consistency vs. the destruction of "bursting"

How to control your emotions through your actions

Bottom Line:

If you're ready to stop making excuses and start taking extreme personal responsibility for your results, this episode will change your business. If you're looking for someone to blame or validate your struggles, keep scrolling.

Ready to level up? The mirror doesn't lie. The question is: are you brave enough to look?

Connect with Kevin Kauffman and learn more about Next Level Agents at https://nextlevelagents.com/exp/

Resources Mentioned:

CRM system for lead management

"The Magic of Thinking Big" by David Schwartz

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Most real estate agents operate like emotional teenagers—prospecting when they feel motivated, avoiding calls when they're scared, and making excuses when the market gets tough. But what if there was a way to remove your feelings from your business operations entirely?

In this episode, my business partner EK sits down with Marshal Nathe, a 7-year real estate veteran who just crushed a $200,000 monthly revenue by building what he calls "feeling-proof" systems. Marshal doesn't just talk about consistency—he's engineered his entire operation to function regardless of his emotional state, market conditions, or external circumstances.

Key Themes and Takeaways:

Why your schedule should be sacred, not suggestions—and how to operate when you don't feel like it

The mathematics of systematic leverage: how Marshal's ISAs generate predictable results through precise activity tracking

Why Marshal chose to burn down his successful solo operation to rebuild something exponentially bigger

The spiritual component of high performance: demanding success from the universe while backing it up with relentless action

Partnership multiplication: how two horses pulling together can move 34,000 pounds instead of 20,000

Building capacity by operating beyond your comfort zone until discomfort becomes your new normal

The Bottom Line:

Your competition is managing their feelings while you could be managing your results. Marshal's approach proves that systematic success doesn't depend on motivation, market conditions, or perfect circumstances—it depends on engineering operations that produce results regardless of how you feel about it.

Ready to discover what your next level looks like? Stop waiting for perfect conditions and start creating them through disciplined systems that make success inevitable.

Learn more about building systematic success in real estate and explore the community that's helping agents break through their current capacity at nextlevelagents.com/exp

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Think building a real estate team is just about hiring more agents? Think again. After 18 years of scaling teams and surviving every market condition, I'm breaking down the brutal truth about why most teams become expensive disasters instead of profit centers.

This isn't another "rah-rah, build your empire" conversation. This is the real talk about what it actually takes to transition from solo producer to team leader—and why most agents aren't ready for what that really means.

In this episode, you'll discover the one skill that separates thriving teams from costly mistakes, why treating hiring like an "event" instead of a process will sabotage everything you build, and the mindset shift that changed how I approach business growth entirely.

Key Topics Covered:

• Why most agents build teams for the wrong reasons (and how to know if you're ready)

• The fatal flaw that kills teams before they start

• How to set real standards vs. hopeful aspirations

• The hiring process that actually works (and why you need more reps)

• Why personal growth isn't optional for team leaders

• The business-first relationship model that creates lasting loyalty

• How market conditions expose weak team foundations

Key Takeaways:

• Recruiting is a process, not an event—you need interview reps like you need sales reps

• Real standards focus on controllable activities, not outcomes like closings

• Your team's ceiling is your ceiling—personal growth isn't negotiable

• People will only stay as long as they see you as a vehicle for their success

Whether you're thinking about building your first team or struggling to scale your current operation, this conversation will challenge everything you think you know about leadership in real estate.

Ready to stop guessing and start building teams that actually work? The strategies in this episode have been tested through multiple market cycles and can save you years of expensive mistakes.

Connect with Kevin Kauffman and learn more about building your next level at https://nextlevelagents.com/exp/

Please leave us a review at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ratethispodcast.com/nla⁠

Making $400K a year but can't afford eXpCon? You're not alone, and financial coach Matt Plumer explains exactly why this happens to so many high-earning real estate agents.

In this eye-opening conversation, Matt breaks down the "transaction treadmill" that keeps agents constantly chasing the next deal to fund their lifestyle instead of building real wealth. He shares his complete financial transformation system that's helped hundreds of agents flip the script from Sales - Expenses = Profit to Sales - Profit = Expenses.

Matt's approach isn't just about budgeting better. It's about fundamentally rewiring how money flows through your business so you can pay yourself first, automate tax savings, and force your business to operate efficiently on what remains. He reveals why financial disorganization (not just inconsistent income) is causing the stress that's killing your dreams.

Key Topics Covered:

• Why the traditional accounting formula keeps agents broke despite big commission checks

• The 5-account Profit First system that forces immediate profitability

• How to "age your money" by setting aside funds for specific future goals

• The real math behind financial freedom (spoiler: it's not just earning more)

• Matt's personal transformation from 300 pounds and addicted to helping agents nationwide

• Why most agents confuse cash flow with wealth building

• The "Australia Test" - how knowing your exact goal changes everything about lead generation

• How to create a "freedom spending plan" that works with entrepreneurial income

• The difference between adults who plan and children who react to money

This conversation will challenge everything you think you know about money management for real estate professionals. Matt doesn't just identify the problems - he provides the complete system to fix them.

Ready to get off the transaction treadmill and start building wealth that works while you sleep? This episode gives you the exact framework to make it happen.

Ready to take your business to the next level? Learn more about joining our community at https://nextlevelagents.com/exp/

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What separates agents who build empires from those who stay trapped in solo success? Nashville powerhouse Erin Krueger went from selling 300+ homes as a solo agent to leading a team that's generated over $2.5 billion in sales. The difference wasn't luck, market timing, or connections—it was the courage to implement championship-level standards that most team leaders would never dare enforce.

In this episode, Erin reveals the brutal truth about why most real estate teams fail and shares the specific systems, hiring processes, and cultural standards that transformed her from a burned-out solo operator into one of Tennessee's most successful team leaders. This isn't about playing nice or making everyone comfortable—this is about building something that wins.

**Key Topics Discussed:**

• Why being "irreplaceable" as a solo agent actually makes you worthless

• The hiring process that eliminates 90% of candidates before interviews

• How unanimous team approval revolutionizes new hire success rates

• The lead distribution system that rewards hustle over entitlement

• Why new agents wait months before getting their first lead

• The championship team philosophy that attracts high performers

• The $10 million collaboration story that proves team power

• Daily training intensity that separates professionals from amateurs

• The speedboat mentality that develops unstoppable agents

Whether you're a solo agent hitting your ceiling or a team leader struggling with inconsistent performance, Erin's approach will challenge everything you believe about building a real estate business. The question isn't whether these methods work—the question is whether you have the courage to implement them.

Ready to stop playing small and start building something that dominates? The blueprint is in this episode.

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What if everything you've been told about real estate success is backwards? While everyone chases the dream of going solo, Kody Weitzel cracked the code on team leverage, closing 200 transactions and earning over $1 million in his second year—all as a team member, not a team leader.

This conversation with Kevin Kauffman destroys the myth that you need to build your own empire to reach seven figures. Kody shares the brutal truth about why 75% of teams fail their agents, how to identify real leverage versus fake support, and why the fundamentals of lead generation still dominate over social media fantasies.

Key Themes Covered:

• Why 75% of real estate teams are ego projects disguised as business opportunities

• The five lead generation fundamentals that actually produce consistent results

• How to identify whether a team provides real leverage or just social events

• Why market shifts create opportunities for agents bold enough to lean in

• The mindset difference between working hard and working smart within systems

• How team leaders can create opportunities instead of just collecting fees

• Why open houses are more valuable now than ever before

Get ready to question everything you think you know about teams, independence, and what it actually takes to dominate in real estate. This episode will either fire you up to find the right team or inspire you to become the leader worth following.

Ready to discover what your next level looks like? Stop limiting yourself based on outdated assumptions and start building the business that matches your ambitions. Learn more about creating your breakthrough at nextlevelagents.com/exp.

Please leave us a review at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ratethispodcast.com/nla

What if the difference between struggling and thriving in real estate isn't about lead generation or market knowledge—but about something most agents completely ignore?

In this episode, Kevin Kauffman sits down with Nate Palmer, founder of Million Dollar Body Method, for a raw conversation about what really separates top performers from everyone else. This isn't your typical real estate strategy discussion. Kevin flips the script and becomes the guest on his own show, revealing insights about building relationships, making tough decisions, and why your physical foundation might be the missing piece in your business success.

Key Discussion Points:

Why Kevin thrived during the 2008 market crash by doing what 90% of agents refused to do

The brutal truth about personal development and why most agents consume it wrong

How genuine curiosity beats networking scripts every single time

The three-month test that predicts real estate success better than any interview

Why mastering one thing opens doors to everything else

The physical foundation that fuels sustained high performance

Whether you're a new agent looking for direction or an experienced professional ready to break through to your next level, this conversation will challenge everything you think you know about building a real estate empire.

Ready to discover what your next level looks like? Stop waiting for perfect conditions and start implementing the strategies that separate champions from everyone else.

Connect with Nate Palmer:

Website: https://milliondollarbodylabs.com

Book: http://getnatesbook.com

Instagram: @milliondollarbody

Email: [email protected]

Join the Next Level Agents Community: Discover proven strategies and connect with ambitious agents at nextlevelagents.com/exp

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Ever wonder why some agents thrive no matter what the market throws at them while others struggle to stay afloat? The secret isn't in their lead generation or closing techniques—it's in something most agents completely ignore: building a personal brand so strong it works harder than any market condition.

In this game-changing episode, my business partner Katie DeWitt sits down with marketing powerhouse Carly Pederson to expose the personal branding strategies that separate next-level agents from the pack. Carly isn't just talking theory—she's living proof, selling more homes in today's challenging market than she did during the 2020 boom.

Key Topics Covered:

• The "Realtor + AND" formula that makes you instantly memorable in a crowded market

• Why 99% of your clients don't know (or care) what brokerage you're with—and what this means for your career

• The psychology behind choosing brand colors that attract your ideal clients (spoiler: it's not about what looks pretty)

• How to build a personal brand that survives brokerage changes, market shifts, and industry disruption

• The consistency factor that creates trust and recognition across every platform

• Why your personal brand is your best recession insurance and client attraction system

• The relationship-building secrets that generate referrals from people who've never met you

This isn't about vanity or ego—it's about survival and success in an industry where being forgettable means being replaceable. While most agents hide behind corporate templates and wonder why their phones aren't ringing, the next-level performers are building personal empires that no market condition can touch.

The Bottom Line

If you're ready to stop being a commodity and start being a category of one, this episode gives you the exact blueprint to make it happen. Your market is waiting for an agent bold enough to stand out. The only question is: will that agent be you?

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You know what works. The phone calls, the follow-up systems, the prospecting schedules that successful agents swear by. So why don't you do them?

In this raw and honest solo episode, Kevin breaks down the psychology behind self-sabotage using insights from his business partner Chris Suarez. This isn't about finding new strategies - it's about understanding why you avoid the strategies that already work.

Key Topics Covered:

The 10 psychological barriers that keep agents from following proven models

Why fear of failure shows up as procrastination and perfectionism

How identity conflict prevents agents from taking effective action

The difference between busy work and meaningful work

Why structure actually creates freedom, not destroys it

How ego prevents learning from others who've succeeded

The accountability trap that makes proven models feel uncomfortable

Why successful agents embrace "boring" consistency over novelty

Kevin gets personal about his own journey of following someone else's blueprint when he weighed over 400 pounds, and how that lesson transformed his approach to business success.

Ready to stop being your own biggest obstacle? This episode will challenge you to recognize which barriers are running your show and commit to breaking through them.

The proven models are there. The question is: are you ready to follow them?

Listen now and then take action - identify which of the 10 barriers resonates most with you and make the decision to choose differently. Your next level is waiting on the other side of your willingness to follow what works.

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Most agents think quality prospecting should take 8-10 hours a day. They're wrong, and this limiting belief is costing them deals, momentum, and market share.

Michelle Early, Director of Growth for Apex Real Estate (one of the top teams in the nation), reveals how two agents completed 20 quality real estate conversations in just over an hour—and why this breakthrough is separating winners from wishful thinkers in today's market.

This isn't about working harder. It's about shattering the mental barriers that keep agents stuck in inefficient patterns while their competition builds unstoppable momentum.

Key Themes Covered:

The Mental Breakthrough - Why agents overcomplicate prospecting to avoid doing it

The 50/50 Rule - How to balance new business and follow-up for consistent pipeline growth

Circle Prospecting That Works - The simple system generating listings in any market

Data-Driven Conversations - Why telling clients facts beats telling them what they want to hear

The Consistency Compound Effect - How daily connects create exponential results

Market Reality Check - Why successful agents are output-dependent, not market-dependent

The Next Step Formula - How to convert prospects without overwhelming them

Michelle also shares her personal story of taking seven listings in 45 days as a brand new agent with zero sphere of influence—using nothing but circle prospecting and free home equity reports.

The agents who implement these strategies will dominate their markets. The ones who make excuses will keep wondering why their "marketing strategy" isn't working.

Ready to join the agents who are serious about reaching their next level? The choice is yours, but while you're deciding, your competition is already making their 20 connects today.

Take action: Start with one connect. Then another. Before you know it, you'll have the momentum that separates winners from wishful thinkers in today's market. Learn more about joining a community of agents who are committed to excellence at nextlevelagents.com/exp/.

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